Summarized Quarterly Data (Unaudited) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013 item	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013 item	Dec. 31, 2012
Quarterly Financial Information [Line Items]
Net revenues	$ 651,361,000	$ 645,940,000	$ 652,146,000	$ 641,080,000	$ 644,702,000	$ 714,435,000	$ 761,371,000	$ 798,246,000	$ 2,590,527,000	$ 2,918,754,000	$ 2,899,465,000
Income (loss) from operations	(304,686,000)	22,831,000	23,382,000	18,051,000	(1,045,448,000)	93,280,000	46,881,000	133,315,000	(240,422,000)	(771,972,000)	442,589,000
Net (loss) income	(250,407,000)	8,499,000	4,176,000	4,537,000	(888,747,000)	41,317,000	(12,180,000)	65,271,000	(233,195,000)	(794,339,000)	211,971,000
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Basic (loss) earnings per common share	$ (3.18)	$ 0.10	$ 0.05	$ 0.05	$ (11.40)	$ 0.43	$ (0.16)	$ 0.68	$ (2.97)	$ (10.17)	$ 2.24
Diluted (loss) earnings per common share	$ (3.18)	$ 0.10	$ 0.05	$ 0.05	$ (11.40)	$ 0.40	$ (0.16)	$ 0.63	$ (2.97)	$ (10.17)	$ 2.04
Goodwill and other intangible impairment charge	316,500,000
Goodwill and other intangible impairment charge, net of tax	253,500,000
Pre-tax goodwill impairment charge									212,193,000	807,464,000
Intangible asset amortization expense									11,400,000	16,100,000	800,000
Pre-tax other intangible asset impairment charge			4,600,000		2,200,000				104,300,000
Pre-tax impairment charge, Net of Tax			2,800,000
Number of racetracks relocated					2					2
Pre-tax impairment charges on relocation of racetracks					2,200,000					2,200,000
Net of taxes impairment charges on relocation of racetracks					1,400,000
Asset Impairment Charges									321,089,000	1,132,417,000
Rental expense related to Master Lease									421,388,000	69,502,000
Spinoff of Real Estate Assets Through REIT Transaction Costs					14,100,000	8,900,000	3,500,000	2,300,000	900,000	28,800,000	7,100,000
Loss on early extinguishment of debt					(61,700,000)					(61,660,000)
Master Lease Agreement
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Rental expense related to Master Lease	107,800,000	104,600,000	104,600,000	104,300,000					421,400,000	69,500,000
Spinoff
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Pre-tax goodwill impairment charge										738,800,000
Pre-tax impairment charges of goodwill and other intangible assets					1,058,400,000
Net of tax impairment charges of goodwill and other intangible assets					842,900,000
Spinoff | Master Lease Agreement
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Rental expense related to Master Lease					69,500,000
Argosy Casino Sioux City
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Pre-tax goodwill impairment charge										68,700,000
Pre-tax other intangible asset impairment charge										3,100,000
Asset Impairment Charges							71,800,000
Asset Impairment Charges Net of Tax							$ 70,500,000